Hi Guys, any thoughts on what i am seeing here?? My Piper is 38 days along with a large litter , she is laid out on the sofa on her side and over the last half hour i have witnessed what i can only describe as ripples running along the side of her ribs into her pelvis. They look like the little waves of contractions that you see in early labour. I know it is too early to be seeing puppy movements so am wondering what it is. Whenever it happens she moans quietly to herself.
She is fit and well and in great condition, although absolutely huge already ;o)

Not knowing a great deal on doggie pregnancy I can only say that what you're seeing reminds me of what I used to feel with son no 3 a particularly long baby, it was Braxton Hicks contractions, they can start very early in pregnancy for women, as early as 6 weeks but a lot of women don't even feel them, they are like a ripple running down the uterus and a sort of tightening, I was told it is the uterus practising.

I know the 'layout' of the internals if different with dogs but I can't see why the same sort of thing can't happen to them especially as your girl is big already, the moaning is because it's slightly uncomfy but not painful, I used to moan ;)

Not seen or experienced this but was wondering if she has too many pups to cope with and the uterus is over stretched and trying to abort/absorb some of the pups to make more room.

Braxton Hicks contractions which happen to prepare for labour and line the pups up are not painful so your bitch wouldn't moan with those.

I don't think there is anything you can do to stop/prevent this happening, I'd rest her and keep a close eye, at the first signs of infection or being ill get her to the vet ASAP.

Keep us posted on how she gets on

I did wonder this myself Rhodach,  although she is absolutely fine in herself, eating like a horse and still acting like her usual self. I know she is having a litter of 11 and last time on her first litter she had 13 so i wonder if,like you say, her uterus is overstretched.

Worried now :-(

It is possible the pups are bigger this time, have you used the same stud?

Hopefully it is just a glitch and she settles down and waits out the rest of the pregnancy.

Yes have used the same stud,only one mating ,exactly the same as last time. Will keep a close eye on her.

Could be peristalsis food moving along the digestive tract.don't get yourself worked up

Thank you Louise, she is absolutely fine in herself so will just keep an eye on her.